This content was first published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review no. 20 in 2025. The information provided here is therefore current as of the original publication date.
While interest in determining the geographic origin of diamonds is growing due to ethical and sustainability concerns, current scientific methods face significant limitations. Unlike certain colored gemstones, such as rubies, sapphires and emeralds, whose origins can often be pinpointed with greater precision thanks to unique chemical and physical characteristics (such as trace elements and inclusions correlated to specific geological deposits), diamonds lack distinctive markers. The trace elements and isotopic characteristics in diamonds are not unique enough to establish definitive origins. Yet, origin determination remains crucial in the era of the Russian diamond ban and the loopholes in the Kimberley Process filter.
These findings were highlighted in a 2022 study published in Gems and Gemology. As this study confirms, the only reliable method to establish a diamond’s origin remains retaining detailed provenance records from the mining stage.
This is the path undertaken by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), that is offering since June 2022 a Diamond Origin Service based on documented provenance. However, strict requirements must be met to qualify, and the procedure is neither simple nor easy to execute. Parcels must remain sealed and include a Kimberley Process Certificate (if exported from the country of origin) and an invoice from the mining company containing key details, such as invoice number, lot, weight, quantity, and origin. If a parcel is opened without a GIA representative present, it will not be accepted for the service.
Yet what unique physical markers cannot achieve, blockchain technology can. De Beers’ Tracr platform has been leveraging blockchain to provide a tamper-proof record of a diamond’s journey, ensuring both transparency and authenticity. Historically, De Beers only disclosed non-differentiated origins from operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia, or South Africa.
But if advanced technology allows for more, why not specify the exact country of origin, taking advantage of securely aggregated data? Starting in 2025, De Beers will adopt advanced AI and scanning technologies to confirm and disclose the specific country of origin for rough diamonds over 1 carat. This represents a significant shift from general provenance to precise, country-specific traceability.
Gem News published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review #20 – Winter 2024/25
